He was born on August 28, 1940, in Springfield, IL to Roland & Mary Bissey. During his early childhood his family moved to Normal, IL where Max excelled in football, basketball, track and leadership at NCHS. His senior year of high school, his family moved to Fair Plain, MI where he attended St. Joseph HS. Max received a Bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University and then joined the US Army in the artillery division.
After the Army, Max pursued and received a Master’s degree in International business at Thunderbird School of Global Management in AZ.
His first job with Hallmark Cards brought him to Korea, where he met his beautiful wife. After about two years in South Korea, a new job as the distributing manager over Southeast Asia with Cosdel Far East Limited relocated him to Hong Kong. He flew back to Korea, married Byong-eh and brought her back to Hong Kong (1969). Shortly after that, Max met the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and joined the church. Both of their children, Andre and Marie were born here and raised in a loving, Christ-centered home. They lived there for 15 years, before moving to Taipei, Taiwan, where they lived for another 5 years. In Taipei, Max loved attending all of his children’s high school events and activities, plays, musicals, choir concerts, basketball games, track events and competitions. He was their biggest fan.
Max & Byong-Eh moved to the States, Largo FL in 1992, so that they could be near his parents. He became a realtor with Century 21 Grant Realty and loved driving the streets, showing houses and visiting neighborhoods.
Max served as the bishop of the Largo Ward for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a humble man, full of integrity and without guile. He loved the Lord. He loved to serve. Even during these last couple years with dementia, he rode his bike to church every day to clean and be of service.
He loved to travel, cruising and seeing the world. He loved driving and exploring new neighborhoods. He loved nature and yard work, music and people. He loved writing letters and receiving cards and letters. He has kept every single one. That’s what happens when you work for greeting card companies for so many years.
Max continues to be loved by his devoted wife of over 54 years, Byong-Eh, son Andre (& Melanie) Bissey, daughter Marie (& Richard) Roberts, grandchildren, Michael, Renee & Matthew Roberts and brother Stan (& Jean) Bissey, and sisters Janet Todd and Mary (& Mark) Weshinskey and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760 or online at www.suncoasthospicefoundation.org.
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